Scharner earns Latics extension

Tuesday 1 January 2008 00:08 BST

Wigan defender Paul Scharner has signed a new two-year deal at the JJB Stadium.

The Austrian had been persistently linked with a move away from the club having become a fans' favourite since arriving two and a half years ago, but the 28-year-old has now committed himself to the Latics.

He said: "I have never hidden my ambition as a player. That is what has been driving me forwards all my career. I believe that in order to progress you have to be totally dedicated to what you do."

He added: "I feel that the club has really progressed over the last few months. They got the opportunity to appoint a really top coach and that is what happened when Steve (Bruce) arrived.

"Now I feel the club has another opportunity to really progress this season and I want to be a part of that."